§ 63. Mr. Austinasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider making provision for the exclusion of juveniles under 16 years from greyhound-racing tracks.
§ Mr. AustinIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the atmosphere of a greyhound-racing track is conducive to the well-being and the proper upbringing of children, and will he take the opportunity of visiting a greyhound-racing track to see the number of children there on a Saturday afternoon or evening?
§ Mr. EdeNo, Sir. I do not think that a greyhound-racing track is a very desirable place for a young person under 16, and I would not like to encourage them to go by setting them the example.
§ Mr. AustinIf the Minister thinks it necessary to impose a sanction against children going to public houses, why does he not impose a similar sanction against children going to places with an undesirable atmosphere, like that of a greyhound-racing track?
§ Mr. EdeI am informed by the police that, as a matter of fact, the number of children who go is very small. This matter will have to be considered in the near future but, at the moment, I can hold out no hope of legislation on this subject.